Keep or Remove Akamai NetSession Interface?

Some advice, please.

Cleaning up my startup folder via MSConfig, I found this Akamai NetSession Interface program. Apparently it speeds up video viewing and such good things, but do I need it and do I need it in my Startup folder? Googling this gave me so many conflicting opinions that I headed over to the place I trust most: here!

Any suggestions appreciated. My Windows 7 SP1 computer is not booting up slowly or anything, but earlier Lounge advice was always to keep your startup folder as clean as possible!

Sounds like it was installed by A software download site to manage the download. It sounds unneeded to me. I would uninstall it per the instructions given on that page. If you want to be safe, disable it via MSConfig and run for a week or so. If you don't see any ill effects, uninstall the app. If you do, simply reeenable it in MSConfig but I would be very surprised you see this.

I uninstall it; it's so rarely used that there's zero point in having it live and actively waiting for some connection. If you really must install it again to access a software/game download that needs it, it's very small to re-download and you should be getting the latest version each time - in my experience, maybe 1-2 downloads per year.

Thank you both! I did read (and bookmark for uninstall) the FAQ. Appreciate the link.

Think I'll disable in MSConfig; then, uninstall later - just being super cautious. It must have been in the fine print of some download and I missed it. Much prefer not having it start up regularly - just when it's needed.

Thanks again - helpful information and so fast, too! Love this Lounge!

There are several issues here as I see it. First of all, I am paying for my bandwidth and connection. Not Akamai. If he or is associates would like to use some of mine, then they can pay me to do so. Second, with global terrorism and global cypercrime growing all of the time, I would not allow my computer or account to be used to forward files and information that I have no idea about. Who is to say that you are not a conduit for the next planning session for an incident such as the Boston bombing? My experience in LE tells me anytime that someone wants to do something in the background, time to shine the light on what is going on. Akamai never says what files or information is passed along on your bandwidth. He goes into a long winded discussion of who uses it, how certain software companies allow it (McAfee) and so on. Not! I removed it. If something does not run without it, then I figure that I did not need it in the first place.

P.S.

Aha! Checked programs and Akamai was there. Not sure if I had re-downloaded it or if I had neglected to complete the uninstall step last time. This time, I uninstalled it - despite the warning message it provided about how I'd lose information and would likely need it again, and so on! Yikes. If I hadn't reread this whole thread, the warning would have scared me off the uninstall.

Those are called scare screens to try to frighten you into leaving their product on your computer. I have deleted Akamai and if it is reinstalled somehow, off it will go again. I have not seen any change in performance since removing it. Sometimes junk like this is attached to another program's update such as Ask bar in IE when you update Java.

Your name is perfect: scare screens! Like you, I removed the little beggar and will do so if it slips by me again. Don't you love how we have to spend so much time correcting things messed up by others or other programs!?

Great downloads, Clint. Thanks. The Junkware one even takes care of Conduit, a former headache that managed to sneak in a second time (since removed but now I have a tool to do the removing if the sneaky thing gets by me again!).

I came across the same thing so I did some research and came upon your post. After testing it more on my computer, I realized what its used for (Or at least in my case anyways.)

I belong to a Gaming Site Aeria Games and with their games that you download and Patch, it allows for transfers between those that have the same files you are updating to seamlessly. Its not a Physical connection to your PC its more like a Door Way into a virtual Storage Pit that your computer Tranfers Files to and from.

Since the game is always updating with new content every week, the game its self needs a way to send you patches so you don't have to wait for it when you do end up wanting to play it. Another noted Game that uses the same system is World of Warcraft as well as many video Broadcasting softwares. Uninstalling it will have no ill effects outside of If you decide you want to use the program it was attached to and there was a recent patch, you are going to have to wait and download it to use the program again.

But in the end as a little information for you. If you look in your Task Bar if it does pop up again, you can always right click it to open in and under the second tab you will see a button that allows you to check what programs and processes are attached to the Program. Simple and easy...

TL;DR Version

Its a Software Patching service that alot of top named developers use to stream patches quicker to help the End User. (You) Does nothing if you uninstall it works in the background if its installed. Not a terrorist plot to filter plans of world domination through your computer.

Hope this helped even more in case the program shows up again and you feel threatened,
Have a good one!

I have just removed this file myself from my system (thanks to advice found here), and one difference I have found is that if I selected a video clip on the BBC web site about 50% of the time I would just get a black video clip with no picture and no way of running it. I would then have to click "back" and try again, sometimes two or three times. Now after removing Akamai when I select a video clip it appears every time and I just have to click it to start.

Was it Akamai causing the problem? Big coincidence if not.

I don't know how this file managed to get on my system as I am pretty thorough about reading what downloads are being put on or what an installer wants to put on.

Eternal vigilance is the price of a clean computer I suppose

Great advice from you guys, I will also come here for all my future questions.